Hua “Helen” Wang Named Fulbright Scholar

UB faculty members Shermali Gunawardena, Barbara Prinari, Bina Ramamurthy, Adrian Rodriguez-Riccelli, Hua “Helen” Wang and Hao Zeng have received prestigious Fulbright Scholar awards to study and teach abroad during the coming year.

The Fulbright program, coordinated by the U.S. Department of State, is devoted to improving intercultural relations, diplomacy and competence between the people of the U.S. and other nations through educational exchange.

"UB is so proud of this year’s Fulbright Scholar recipients,” says Robert Granfield, vice provost for faculty affairs. “This prestigious recognition highlights that not only are UB faculty exceptional researchers and teachers, but they are strong international collaborators and colleagues who aim to make a global impact.

“It is an honor to have these faculty represent UB as they build lasting international relationships and engage in cultural exchanges that benefit us all,” says Granfield, who received a Fulbright in 2010-11 and served as the Fulbright Visiting Research Chair in International Humanitarian Law at the Human Rights Research and Education Center at the University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

The Office of Faculty Affairs supports applicants to the Fulbright U.S Scholar Program. UB faculty interested in learning more about the program can contact Maria Almanza, director of faculty recognition, or Tilman Baumstark, UB Fulbright liaison and associate vice provost for faculty affairs. 

Deaprtment of Communication Fulbright scholar:

Hua “Helen” Wang, professor in the Department of Communication, will travel to Norway to study the feasibility of using MetaHumans as storytelling agents to promote environmental sustainability and climate action. MetaHumans are highly realistic, interactive and artistic digital representations of human-like entities. They can be custom-made and enhanced by artificial intelligence. Wang will explore research questions regarding the functional, relational and metaphysical aspects of this innovation.

Wang’s projects often take the form of interdisciplinary collaborations to design, implement and evaluate public campaigns and health interventions. Her work leverages innovative strategies through narrative engagement, emerging technologies and communication networks to better serve disadvantaged communities and promote the well-being of individuals, groups and society at large.

As an entertainment-education expert, Wang has worked with award-winning Hollywood and Bollywood production teams, social-impact game designers and computer and data scientists affiliated with the AI for Good initiative. Her research has addressed complex issues in the areas of sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence and climate change. In 2024, Wang co-edited the open access book “Storytelling to Accelerate Climate Solutions.”